A Lanarkshire food factory has welcomed two Syrian war refugees to their staffing team after officially partnering with the Scottish Refugee Council.
Following an open day and three-day work trial at Macphie Ltd the partnership has seen the two refugees, who fled their native country, join the food ingredient manufacturer as production operatives at the firm’s recently refurbished Tannochside factory.
Macphie hopes to be able to integrate more refugees into its growing team in the months ahead as production at Tannochside expands.
The SRC explained some of the challenges that refugees face when looking for paid employment and has worked closely with Macphie to help adapt the company’s recruitment and induction process, making it more accessible.
Anita Yu from SRC - and facilitator of the partnership with Macphie - told Lanarkshire Live : “The people we work with have fled horrific situations around the world and come from countries where conflict and human rights abuses are rife.
“When refugees arrive in Scotland, new and challenging journeys begin. Not only do they have to contend with the disorientating process of settling into a new country, but their qualifications might not be recognised in the UK.
"They might not be aware of their employment rights, and there is also a language barrier.
“Many of the people we work with are highly skilled, experienced and qualified.
"If given an opportunity to show what they can do, they can be an asset to any business.
“This is why it’s so important that we provide support to people in need of refugee protection as they start their new lives and that companies recognise the promise and potential that Scotland’s refugee communities bring, like Macphie has.”
SRC supports candidates with information sessions and employability training. This includes how to create a CV, interview skill sessions, mock interviews and explaining employment rights and benefits.
They also work in partnership with employers, supporting them throughout the process.
Macphie chief executive, Andy Stapley, told us : “We think it is so vitally important that we help support refugees as they integrate into their new lives and that companies should make a conscious effort to employ through the SRC programme.”
Macphie is an internationally renowned ingredients manufacturer that was established in 1928 and now employs more than 250 people across its three sites.
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